Healthy Pre-Yoga Elixirs
You know how it is.
Your stomach is growling as you try to hold off on dinner until yoga class (which is about to start) finishes-- two hours from now.
If you don't eat anything, you might keel over mid- sun salutation.
If you do eat something, you will wish you hadn't the moment you spring into a handstand! What to do? "Yoga practices traditionally should not be done after taking solid food," says Dr.
Sarasvati Buhrman of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda in Boulder, CO.
"Liquids, however, are permitted," she adds, "including the hatha yoga recommendations of milk and ghee in the morning.
" Concurring with this advice, Dr.
Mark Hyman of Hyman Integrative Therapies in Lenox, MA adds, "The stomach should be empty and digestion complete to fully engage breath and allow the body to experience the benefits of yoga.
An easily digestible juice or protein shake can give the body energy without taxing digestion.
" The next time you need a pre-yoga boost, follow the doctor's orders with one of these energy-packed and easy-on-the-system elixirs.
If you don't have time to make something yourself, a pit stop at your local juice bar will perk you up in time for class.
Drink up! Fresh Almond Milk A quintessential Ayurvedic revitalizing tonic.
Wholesome and simple.
- 2 cups hot water - ½ cup whole, raw, organic almonds* - 1 cup cool water - Optional: add ¼ tsp.
vanilla extract, 1/4 cup raisins, 2 tbs.
dates and/or or figs, chopped*.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of hot water and 1/2 cup whole, raw, organic almonds and allow to sit for 30 minutes, until skins loosen.
Slip skins off with your fingers and discard, along with the soaking water.
Place skinned almonds, other optional ingredients and 1 cup of cool water in a blender and puree for 3-5 minutes, until the nuts are completely dissolved and the milky liquid is smooth.
Pour into a jar and use right away.
Use less water for a thicker milk.
* if you have more time, you can soak the almonds and dried fruits overnight so that they are easier to digest.
Tropical Delight A medley of flavors delivering liquid sunshine! -the juice of one young coconut (or ½ cup fresh orange juice and ½ cup water) -one mango and/or 1 cup chopped papaya -1 tbsp.
organic, cold-pressed coconut oil -1 tsp.
raw bee pollen Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Yummy.
Green Goddess An energizing and flavorful breakfast treat.
-1-2 tbsp.
protein powder (whey or rice protein) -1 tsp.
spirulina or chlorella -1 tbsp.
organic flax seed oil or 2 tbsp.
freshly ground flax seeds -1 cup water ( or soy, rice or almond milk) -1 banana -a dash of cinnamon -optional: add 1 tbsp.
carob powder for a chocolaty treat! Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a glass (or into a bowl and savor the flavor with a spoon).
Enjoy!
Your stomach is growling as you try to hold off on dinner until yoga class (which is about to start) finishes-- two hours from now.
If you don't eat anything, you might keel over mid- sun salutation.
If you do eat something, you will wish you hadn't the moment you spring into a handstand! What to do? "Yoga practices traditionally should not be done after taking solid food," says Dr.
Sarasvati Buhrman of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda in Boulder, CO.
"Liquids, however, are permitted," she adds, "including the hatha yoga recommendations of milk and ghee in the morning.
" Concurring with this advice, Dr.
Mark Hyman of Hyman Integrative Therapies in Lenox, MA adds, "The stomach should be empty and digestion complete to fully engage breath and allow the body to experience the benefits of yoga.
An easily digestible juice or protein shake can give the body energy without taxing digestion.
" The next time you need a pre-yoga boost, follow the doctor's orders with one of these energy-packed and easy-on-the-system elixirs.
If you don't have time to make something yourself, a pit stop at your local juice bar will perk you up in time for class.
Drink up! Fresh Almond Milk A quintessential Ayurvedic revitalizing tonic.
Wholesome and simple.
- 2 cups hot water - ½ cup whole, raw, organic almonds* - 1 cup cool water - Optional: add ¼ tsp.
vanilla extract, 1/4 cup raisins, 2 tbs.
dates and/or or figs, chopped*.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of hot water and 1/2 cup whole, raw, organic almonds and allow to sit for 30 minutes, until skins loosen.
Slip skins off with your fingers and discard, along with the soaking water.
Place skinned almonds, other optional ingredients and 1 cup of cool water in a blender and puree for 3-5 minutes, until the nuts are completely dissolved and the milky liquid is smooth.
Pour into a jar and use right away.
Use less water for a thicker milk.
* if you have more time, you can soak the almonds and dried fruits overnight so that they are easier to digest.
Tropical Delight A medley of flavors delivering liquid sunshine! -the juice of one young coconut (or ½ cup fresh orange juice and ½ cup water) -one mango and/or 1 cup chopped papaya -1 tbsp.
organic, cold-pressed coconut oil -1 tsp.
raw bee pollen Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Yummy.
Green Goddess An energizing and flavorful breakfast treat.
-1-2 tbsp.
protein powder (whey or rice protein) -1 tsp.
spirulina or chlorella -1 tbsp.
organic flax seed oil or 2 tbsp.
freshly ground flax seeds -1 cup water ( or soy, rice or almond milk) -1 banana -a dash of cinnamon -optional: add 1 tbsp.
carob powder for a chocolaty treat! Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a glass (or into a bowl and savor the flavor with a spoon).
Enjoy!
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